BURLINGTON, VT. — The Division of Communication and Creative Media at Champlain College has announced that its Graphic Design and Digital Media BFA Program this month received full accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

NASAD is the national accrediting agency for art and design, and art and design-related disciplines. Institutional membership into NASAD is gained only through the peer review process of accreditation. Founded in 1944, NASAD establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials. It produces statistical research, provides professional development for leaders of art and design schools, and engages in policy analysis. Champlain College joins approximately 320 institutional members, nationwide, including New England's Rhode Island School of Design, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and Endicott College.

According to Paula Willoquet-Maricondi, Dean of the Division of Communication and Creative Media, "With the support of Champlain Provost Robin Abramson, the rigorous application process, which started in 2010, was initiated and ushered through by graphic design Program Director Suzanne Glover, with the participation of graphic design and MFA faculty and students. The comprehensive evaluation process involved several lengthy reports, an on-campus site visit by NASAD, teaching demonstrations and interviews, and multiple yearly updates. As part of this accreditation process, the graphic design program introduced new studio courses, increased its academic rigor, addressed faculty workload and upgraded its design facilities and labs."

"A great many thanks to the faculty, students and staff whose tireless effort and dedication earned Champlain College this great honor," Willoquet-Maricondi added.

Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a small, not-for-profit, private college in Burlington, Vermont, with additional campuses in Montreal, Canada, and Dublin, Ireland. Champlain offers a traditional undergraduate experience from its beautiful campus overlooking Lake Champlain and over 90 residential undergraduate and online undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates. Champlain's distinctive career-driven approach to higher education embodies the notion that true learning occurs when information and experience come together to create knowledge. Champlain College is included in the Princeton Review's The Best 382 Colleges: 2018 Edition. For the third year in a row, Champlain was named a "Most Innovative School" in the North by U.S. News & World Report's 2018 "America's Best Colleges," and an "A+ School for B Students" and is ranked in the top 100 Regional Universities of the North. Champlain is also featured in the Fiske Guide to Colleges for 2018 as one of the "best and most interesting schools" in the United States, Canada and Great Britain and is a 2018 College of Distinction. For more information, visit www.champlain.edu.